Importing data is a critical component to any CRM project.  Getting Leads, Contacts, Accounts, Opportunities and Notes into your solution is critical.  Many clients operate in a shared hosting environment and a common error we have come across when clients attempt a data import is listed below:

NOTICE: [8] Memcache::connect() [memcache.connect]: Server localhost (tcp 11211) failed with: Connection refused (111) on line 62 in file sugarCRM/include/utils/external_cache/SugarCache_Memcache.php

WARNING: [2] Memcache::connect() [memcache.connect]: Can't connect to localhost:11211, Connection refused (111) on line 62 in file sugarCRM/include/utils/external_cache/SugarCache_Memcache.php. 

When using Sugar in a shared hosting environment you do not have access to the server root or the php.ini file.  A simple change in the config.php can solve the problem.  You should see $sugar_config = array(...) in the config.php directory.  Add the following value to the config.php file:

'external_cache_disabled' => true

This should solve the error/problem and allow you to import data.

We have been working with a client on their marketing campaigns in SugarCRM and we thought we would post an entry related to list types to help out with some of the questions we have received.  Here they are in a nutshell:

• Default. A list of people who are campaign targets and receive the campaign email.



• Seed. A list of people who need to receive the campaign email but must not be tracked as potential leads. Typically, these are individuals who need to approve the campaign before it is launched.

• Test. A list of people who receive the campaign email to test how different email clients display the campaign message before you send it out to the default list.

• Suppression List. A list of people you want excluded from the campaign email recipient list. Typically, these are people who chose to opt out of receiving your campaign message. Suppression lists can be by ID, email address, or domain.

Note:  Test and Seed lists are ignored in email tracking statistics.

For non-email campaigns, if you have purchased a license for the Sugar Plug-in for Microsoft Word, you can create a form letter in Word for your targets and merge it with names and addresses of your targets in Sugar to create a customized campaign letter for each target. For more information on the plug-in, see Sugar Plug-in for Microsoft Word.

How to Add a Google Map to a Module in Sugar 

This can be done to any module, custom or otherwise, that has a address field on it. This article will walk you thru how to add it on the contacts module for primary address.  This customization requires no code level modifications and can be done completely through the studio in about 10 minutes.

The Basics

We will be creating a new field of type iFrame. This of an “iframe” as an area of a webpage thatdisplays information from another website. In this case we will be using theinformation in the primary address field to generate a query to google maps (don’t worry I looked up the hard part for you) which will display on detailview. The field won’t be added to edit view since, it’s value is generated automatically, so there’s nothing for the end user to edit.

The Steps

Go to admin >studio > contacts > fields > create new field  … and use thefollowing settings:

• Data type = iFrame
• Field name = ContactMap
• Display Label = Location
• System Label = LBL_CONTACTMAP
• Help and Comment text can be left blank
• Check the “Generate URL” box
• Default Value = http://maps.google.com?q={primary_address_street},{primary_address_city},{primary_address_state},{primary_address_postalcode},{primary_address_country}&output=embed
• Max Size = 255     <- This may need to be changed first to allow the default value to be entered
• IFrame Height = 400    <- This dictates how tall, in pixels, you want the map to be – adjust to taste
• Required Field = Unchecked
• Audit = Unchecked
• Importable = No
• Duplicate Merge = Disabled

Save the Field

Add a new panel to contacts > detail view and drag “Location” to it.  Save and Deploy (you may need run admin > repair > quick repair to clear the cache).

SugarCRM 6.0 Beta is Here!!!  Click on the link below to find out more.

SugarCon 2010 is Sugar's 4th annual user and client conference.  The conference brings together SugarCRM users, developers, partners, and experts from all around the world.  There are going to be some really interesting events and speakers and we are very excited to be participating in the event.  Here is the link to SugarCon 2010.  If you register before March 13th, the conference is $299 - a 40% discount from the $499 base price.

We are excited to learn more about the roadmap, and very interested in learning about the innovative and creative ways clients and partners have used SugarCRM, new add-ons that have been developed, and platforms that are available.